ILFI is proudly showcasing a series of member impact stories to celebrate the inspiring work our community does everyday. This month we’re delighted to feature the work of Gladys Ly-Au Young, Partner and co-founder of Sundberg Kennedy Ly-Au Young Architects. 

No one pays for the work of connection. Tying in perspectives and knowledge from sectors like social justice is often outside of the scope of work of architects. Gladys Ly-Au Young is committed to changing that: her work recognizes the impact of investing in those connections, representing a unique contribution to architecture and design. She is an advocate for investing in the long-term wellness of people and the planet, and is a global thought leader, educator, and advocate for healthy building materials. 

The firm Gladys co-founded, Sundberg Kennedy Ly-Au Young (SKL) Architects, is in the business of socially responsible architecture: creating spaces for learning, living, and community. Their work centers the end user—the residents whose livelihood is subject to impact, and whose chief concern is their community’s health and well-being.

U-lex, previously known as Othello Square, is a co-op home ownership project located in South Seattle and one example of SKL’s commitment to the end user. Comprised of four buildings and sixty-eight units, U-lex has shown affordable housing can do more to address societal inequities.

“The project is rooted in anti-displacement,” Gladys says, noting that the predominantly immigrant community of color in the surrounding area had long worried about being pushed out as Seattle’s housing prices rose. The development of U-lex was ultimately one by the community, for the community, and the direct result of 20 years of organizing by residents.

Caption: Graphic depicting U-lex energy efficiency, courtesy of SKL Architects.

SKL and the project’s non-profit developer, HomeSight, wanted the project to be more than just energy efficient for the benefit of its community. Although they were able to achieve a lot in energy, and the project complied with the Living Building Equity and Health + Happiness Petals, they also became focused on material health: another threat to residents’ well-being that disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations. Exposure to unsafe chemicals tends to affect residents in lower-wealth areas like U-lex through their housing, but also through their community in the form of air quality and environmental pollution. 

It’s worth noting that SKL provided this critical materials work for U-lex pro bono. We need to recognize the burden felt by communities when we underinvest in equitable solutions, and must change our practices to positively impact the health of people and the planet.

“[With] supply chains… many are ‘business as usual’ until enough people start questioning it,” says Gladys. She and her team worked with ILFI to source Red List-free materials for U-lex through the Affordable Housing Program. Gladys also worked with the Housing Development Consortium and Toxic Free Future in Seattle to develop tools for other affordable housing project teams to use for specifying healthy materials based on her experience on U-lex.

“Gladys has been an amazing partner for ILFI. Her commitment to healthy materials in affordable housing combined with in-depth research and creative sourcing strategies have significantly contributed to ILFI resources (such as the Affordable Housing Materials List and Best Practices Guide for Red List Free Affordable Housing). Her work is influencing not just the U-lex project, but many current and future projects to provide healthier environments for residents and the community.” – Susan Puri, Director of Affordable Housing at ILFI

Being a member of the Living Future community has ultimately supported Gladys’ connection-building work: “[Membership] is a powerful connector of like-minded leaders seeking to make global change… a forum where leaders can support each other, connect, and collaborate.” 

The broader vision of Gladys’ leadership is cultivating this deep connection, growing her firm and team in line with ILFI’s Just label values, building partnerships to creatively design and fund healthy, culturally-responsive buildings, and using the built environment to support our collective well-being. “This is the work I will do for the rest of my career.”

ILFI recently released a new resource for Affordable Housing projects looking to source Red List free building products. Explore more on our website.

Interested in becoming part of our community of practitioners, organizations, and everyday advocates transforming the building industry through the holistic lens of climate, health, and equity?

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Written By

Liz Harder

Liz manages the Living Future Membership program, helping to expand the growth of ILFI’s membership base & seek new ways to bring value to the Living Future Member community. If you have any questions about becoming a member, you can reach her at membership@living-future.org.